If you have any doubts about autumn being the best season for Caribbean cruise deals, Vicki Freed would like a word with you.

“Disney just raised its one-day price to $71. You can get a cruise for less than that per day in autumn,” said Freed, who is senior vice president of sales and marketing for Carnival Cruise Lines. “There are great values now.”

Caribbean cruise prices always are low in fall because summer vacations are over, kids are back in school and some people are leery about going to sea during hurricane season. Then, too, more cabins are available in fall because cruise ships are returning to the region from summers spent in Europe and Alaska.

This year, early indications were that fall prices would be even lower than usual because the demand for Caribbean cruises had fallen off. But that hasn’t happened. Instead, fall fares are up slightly.

“There are no $399 fares out there” for seven-night Caribbean cruises, Stewart Chiron, a Miami-based cruise expert, said. Usually in autumn, he explained, some cruise lines will drop their fares to that level.

You can find a few $449 fares for seven-night Caribbean cruises and quite a number at $499. The same rooms in other seasons, or on holiday cruises, could be priced several hundred dollars more.

Low fares like these are for inside rooms. Ocean-view and balcony cabins are priced higher, but this is where fall cruisers may score. Upgrades are easier to obtain, and price differentials between inside, ocean-view and balcony cabins are more affordable in autumn.

On several seven-night Holland America sailings this fall, for example, the fare for an ocean-view (window) stateroom is $549, only $50 more than the inside rate ($499), and a balcony cabin goes for $749. Princess also has some $499 cruises where an outside cabin is only $50 more.

A tip for those who want balcony staterooms: They are cheaper and more available on ships that have a lot of balconies (generally the newer ships), says Miami travel agent Lila Tell of New World Center. “The price can be quite high on ships with few balconies. It’s supply and demand.”

Who goes cruising the Caribbean in the fall?

Passengers come from all walks of life, but some categories are seen more at this time of year. Locals, for instance, said Tell. “Northerners prefer to go on a cruise when it’s snowing,” she said. Since locals don’t have to arrange air travel, they can go on short notice if they come upon a good deal.

Autumn cruises also may see more young couples, singles and seniors.

“It’s a great time for singles – and sometimes cruise lines even drop the single surcharge,” says Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor of Cruise Critic, an online cruise magazine.

What you won’t see many of in fall are school-age children – except on weekends and holidays. One exception: Disney Cruise Line gets kids all year long, Tell says.

Just getting a cruise for a low price doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a great time, of course. It’s fine to cash in on the season’s lower prices, but first you need to choose the cruise that’s right for you.

Seniors, for instance, are great cruisers, but many won’t enjoy adventure cruises that involve a lot of physical effort.

Singles should look for cruise lines that attract a younger crowd, among them Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

And here’s a tip for single men from Art Sbarsky, a former cruise executive turned cruise writer: “Go on Disney. There are a lot of single moms aboard.”

Families with children will enjoy the great youth facilities on board Disney, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships. If you want superior service and understated elegance – and can afford it – the luxury cruise lines are for you.

Even though more cruises are available in autumn, it’s advisable to sign up for your cruise well ahead of time.

“People are booking further ahead now,” Freed says. “You get better cabins, better locations.” Sbarsky agrees that buying early is best but adds, “You never know. You might get a good last-minute deal.”

Cruise fares typically drop after Labor Day, but the best deals come between Thanksgiving and Christmas, says Sbarsky. “People are preoccupied thinking about Christmas,” he said.

Cruise Critic’s Brown agrees, adding that the first two weeks of January also are good. But holiday sailings – those at Thanksgiving or in the Christmas-New Year’s period – are priced substantially higher.

With more cruises to choose from in autumn, what’s the best way to get the best deal?

“I tell people to do research online, but don’t book the cruise online. Talk to a travel agent,” says Chiron. Reason: Besides having specific knowledge of and contacts with cruise lines, agents have access to discounts and deals that aren’t online – particularly at this time of year.

FALL CRUISE DEALS

Listed below are a few examples of well-priced fall Caribbean cruises (they were researched Aug. 30). Be aware, however, that fares can change without notice. Quoted fares are cruise-only minimum for inside rooms and may not include certain fees.

— Norwegian Cruise Line: Five nights on the Norwegian Jewel on Dec. 2 from Miami, $319.

— Princess: Seven nights on the Caribbean Princess on three dates in October from Fort Lauderdale, $499-up.

— MSC Cruises: 14-night add-on deal: Book the seven-night Dec. 21 holiday cruise on the Lirica from Fort Lauderdale (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic) at $799, and you can add on the seven-night Dec. 14 sailing (Jamaica, Grand Cayman) for just $299 more per person.

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